[Surprising!] A children’s song that originated overseas. That familiar nursery rhyme is actually…
Nursery rhymes we often sang as children in kindergarten, nursery school, or elementary school.
Among the ones we still remember as adults, quite a few actually originated overseas.
In this article, we’ll introduce nursery rhymes with roots abroad.
We’ve picked out a variety—from songs that make you think “Come to think of it, that makes sense,” to surprising ones that have you saying, “Wait, that song too?” They’re all familiar across generations, whether it’s something you sang as a child or a song your kids are learning in nursery school.
As you listen, be sure to notice the differences between the versions we often sing and the original tunes!
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[Surprising!] Nursery rhymes of overseas origin. Those familiar nursery rhymes are actually (21–30)
Ten thousand feet in the AlpsAmerican folk song
Alps Ichiman-jaku, which depicts climbing in the Alps, is a children’s song that’s also enjoyed as a hand-clapping game.
Because it mentions foreign place names, some might imagine it’s a straightforward translation, but the American original differs greatly in content.
It is said to be based on Yankee Doodle, whose roots are sometimes traced to Europe, yet it is best known in the United States as a patriotic song.
The lyrics mock Europeans and assert the will for American independence, and numerous parodies were reportedly created to suit the circumstances of the time.
In Japan, lyrics evoking the Boy Scouts became established, and the song came to be loved as a nursery rhyme.
Gonbe-san’s BabyOriginated in the United States
This is a nursery rhyme depicting Gonbei panicking because his baby has caught a cold.
With its short and simple content, it is also popular as a hand-play song.
Based on the melody of the hymn “Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us,” it evolved into songs praising John Brown’s achievements in the abolition of slavery, such as “John Brown’s Body” and “The Body of John Brown,” then into the marching song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and further into the children’s recreation song “John Brown’s Baby,” which is said to have been brought to Japan.
Because of its light and catchy melody, it has been arranged in many ways in Japan as well, including as the theme song for Yodobashi Camera commercials.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced some nursery rhymes that originated overseas—how did you like them? You might have discovered that a song you thought was Japanese actually wasn’t! Since some have different lyrics or a different feel, try enjoying the world of nursery rhymes in a new way.